Welsh Journals

*■ WHYSDLI WP^Y TQWWW * No. 42. Vol. IV. JUNE, 1896. Price One Penny. RURIDECANAL CHAPTER, The Arwystli Ruridecanal Chapter met at Llan- dinam, May 18th, 1896, when the following Clergy were present:—Revs. M.Jones, R.D.. Llandinam, E. Edwardes, Trefcglwys, W L. Richards, Penstrowed, W. D. Roberts, Llanidloes. Messages of apology for absence were received from Revs. D. Parry, Llan- wnog, E. 0. Jones, Llanidloes, and 0. K. Williams, Caersws. After the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, the following resolution was passed : — " That the Clergy of the Rural Deanery of Ar¬ wystli in Chapter assembled at LLandinam on the 18th of May, 1896, are of opinion that the rates on the Tithe Rent Charge should be included within the scope of the Agricultural Rating Bill, now before the House of Commons, and respectfully urge Her Majesty's Government not to allow the present opportunity to pass without making provision for fair and equal treatment of the Tithe Rent Charge with regard to the incidence of Rates. The Secretary was instructed to send copies of the foregoing resolution to theRight Hon. Henry Chaplin, President of the Local Government Board, Viscount Cranborne, and Major Pryce Jones, M.P. It was decided to hold the Ruridecanal Choral festival on Wednesday, 17th of June. W. DAVID ROBERTS, Secretary. LLANIDLOES. The Lord Bishop of the Diocese held a Confirmation in the Parish Church on Thurs 'ay, May 21st, at half- past three in the afternoon. We have generally had °ur confirmations on a Sunday, which is of course more convenient for candidates from Llanidloes itself, hut the triennial confirmation which is intended for the surrounding parishes as well as for us, must ahnost of necessity be held on a week-day. However this year Llangurig sent no candidates, having had the Bishop all to itself not many months ago, and there were not more than half-a-dozen out side our °wn people of whom only eleven were presented. Notwithstanding the comparative inconvenience of the day and hour to our somewhat pampered tastes, a fair congregation assembled to assist at one of the most solemn rites of the church—the only one indeed at which the presence of the Bishop is imperatively necessary. The service was very short as Evening Prayer was said at the usual hour. The candi¬ dates presented from Llanidloes were :—Cynthia May Hughes, Anne Jones, Crissabella Kerr, Amy Morris, Ida Gwendoline Paull, Kate Morrison Paull, and Ida De Moor Webb, with Hugh Jermau, Frederick Llewelyn Spurgeon Marpole, Albert Shone, and Richard Walters. The Bishop, who does not seem to have entirely recovered from the severe attack of illness which prostrated him last year, gave an impressive address, in which he emphasised the necessity of a regular attendance at Holy Communion, and warned the candidates against cowardice in fighting the battle in which every Christian is to do his part in the Master's service, and against selfish¬ ness in life and action, A considerable number of pai'ishioners were asked to the Vicarage to meet the Bishop after the service) Bnd about fifty or more were present. We were glad to see that there was a slight increase in the number of Communicants on Whit suuday, compared with the two previous years, but there still remains room for improvement In an ideal church every confirmed person would com¬ municate on Easter Sunday, Whit-sunday and Christmas Day, and even as things are at present in the English Church we can scarcely be satisfied till every c nnmunicant who is not unavoidably prevented thinks it his duty to be present on these great feasts. The newly confirmed candidates did not com¬ municate on Whit-sunday as they are being prepared for Holy Communion.' Classes for boys are held on Monday evenings, and for girls on Wednesdays, after church. This would he a good opportunity for candi¬ dates confirmed in previous years who have not yet embraced the highest privilege cf th«ir religion to make a new start. Any such would be welcomed at the preparation classes.